Biodiversity Conservation

Community Based Eco-tourism in Cambodia's Cardamon Mountains – Incentives for Biodiversity Conservation

This project aimed to reduce the reliance on illegal forest activities and to foster biodiversity conservation in the Southern Cardamoms through education and training and the practical development of sustainable community based eco-tourism initiatives that will gain benefit from management and conservation of the area's biodiversity.

The Cardamom Mountains of southwest Cambodia are a biodiversity hotspot. They are one of the last remaining elephant corridors and large predator ranges in the region. They are host to many of Cambodia 's 2300 plant species and more than half of its 200 bird species and are home to 14 globally threatened mammal species. Illegal logging, hunting and clearing for farms are threatening the species and the integrity of the forest ecosystems. The illegal activities are caused by poverty and by commercial exploitation for international live trade and animal products markets.

Eco tourism is a viable livelihood option for Chi Phat commune. Chi Phat is surrounded by a protected forest rich in natural attractions: streams, waterfalls, primary rainforest and diverse terrain. The area is criss-crossed with trails, tracks and old logging routes. Chi Phat has easy access to a major international highway and is relatively close to other major tourist destinations. Chi Phat is ideally placed to offer a range of eco-activities. Mountain biking, hiking, kayaking and special-interest tours including long distance treks are potential income generating activities.

The Live & Learn team have developed and delivered curriculum in 5 core eco-tourism components: Eco- Awareness; Eco-Guiding; Hospitality; FirstAid and Mountain Biking. We have 15 eco-guide trainees, 24 hospitality (food vendors, guesthouse and home-stay operators) trainees, and a number of Community Based Eco-Tourism (CBET) Committee members who participate in training. In addition, 29 guides and other trainees successfully completed a Red Cross First Aid course, which was specifically tailored for the remoteness of the Cardamoms. The eco-guides have also participated in mountain bike training, learning technical riding skills, repairs, maintenance, care and mountain bike guiding.

The project has delivered 12 quality mountain bikes (plus helmets, spare parts and tools) to the CBET committee. The bikes are being used for training and will form the fleet with which the CBET will operate its mountain bike tours. The bikes were purchased from Bangkok, Thailand and transported overland and delivered to Chi Phat Commune. Funds to cover transport of the vehicles were provided by Australian Volunteers International through the Volunteer Support Assistance Fund.

This project has built capacity through education and training in the main aspects of eco-tourism and guiding: interpretive skills, biodiversity and conservation knowledge, product satisfaction and impact monitoring, communication and English language, First-Aid and hospitality.

The Chi Phat Commune is comprised of four villages of about 550 families beside the Phipot river. The Commune CBET committee was formed in 2007 with the assistance of international NGO Wildlife Alliance (formerly WildAid) who have a community development role in the Commune.